In 2024, the Revenge Porn Helpline, supported by the Home Office, saw a sharp increase in reported cases of revenge porn, with 22,227 new instances recorded, representing a 20.9% rise from the previous year. Non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse, which involves the unauthorized production, publishing, or reproduction of sexual photos or videos online and offline, is illegal in the UK. The helpline actively works to remove non-consensual intimate images for victims, utilizing reverse image searches and contacting platforms where the content has been shared.
Despite the helpline’s efforts to remove 81,000 intimate images last year, cases of re-victimization increased by 260%, with 61,213 previously reported images continuing to circulate online. This phenomenon indicates the persistent challenge of revenge porn and its detrimental impact on individuals affected. Sophie Mortimer, the helpline manager, highlighted revenge porn as one of the most significant digital harms affecting adults, underscoring the urgent need for robust measures to address the issue effectively.
Jasmine, a 28-year-old victim of revenge porn, shared her ordeal after intimate images of her were disseminated without consent. She expressed feeling violated and constantly paranoid since the incident occurred eight years ago. Despite reporting the matter to the police and the perpetrator receiving a verbal warning, Jasmine emphasized the need to shift the shame from the victim to the offender. Non-consensual intimate image abuse manifests in various forms, such as sextortion, voyeurism, deepfakes, and threats to share, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the issue.
Sophie Mortimer, the helpline manager, emphasized that the reported cases represent only a fraction of the actual prevalence of revenge porn, indicating a broader societal challenge that requires comprehensive data collection and prosecution outcomes. The legal landscape surrounding non-consensual intimate images is evolving, with recent changes removing the requirement to prove intent to cause distress when sharing such content. However, there are calls to strengthen laws to make the possession of non-consensual intimate images illegal to enhance protection for victims
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